Sleeping Bear Dunes - Empire Bluff Trail

Eager to get out and at least pretend to have spring on Spring Break I headed out to Sleeping Bear Dunes with my family. The kids had been absolutely itching to go hiking so the 1.5 mile round trip out to Empire Bluff seemed like a good first hike of the year. Relatively balmy temps in the mid-40's made it comfortable and the blue skies made for some fantastic scenery. Here's hoping spring is on its way...

Not sure if these are Apple or Cherry trees...remnants of the orchards that used to blanket the area.

Empire Bluff Trail

Atop the Dune Ridge...

Empire Bluff Trail

Red Cedar...very rare in this part of Michigan...

Empire Bluff Trail

A Wide Straight Path...

Empire Bluff Trail

A Bench With A View...the first overlook at about the halfway point.

Empire Bluff Trail

Sleeping Bear Dunes...

Empire Bluff Trail

Getting Steep...

Empire Bluff Trail

Mom and Her Boys...

Empire Bluff Trail

Top of A Slippery Slope...

Empire Bluff Trail

Alex Waiting for Dad Again...

Empire Bluff Trail

A Baby Hemlock...these conifers store energy for growth in the winter unlike most trees. This allows them to grow despite the dense deciduous tree canopy. Eventually they will grow big enough to keep the precious sunlight from their neighboring hardwood friends making them the dominant trees in the immediate area...

Empire Bluff Trail

WARNING!

Empire Bluff Trail

Ahhh...Lake Michigan in Sight...

Empire Bluff Trail

Peeking Through the Trees...

Empire Bluff Trail

Walking Carefully...

Empire Bluff

The high dunes of Sleeping Bear with the town of Empire in the valley between.

Empire Bluff

On Empire Bluff...

Empire Bluff

LOOOONG Way Down...

Empire Bluff

Wow...

Empire Bluff

Empire Bluff Panorama

Empire Bluff

Erosion Control...I know its necessary but it kinda takes from the natural feel of the dune...